November 4, 2008

For Immediate Release

Contact: Shelby Hausler 
Marketing Manager
StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 
Hanley Wood Exhibitions
shausler@hanleywood.com
972.536.6334

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas Delivers Rock Solid Results

Dallas, TX – Amidst a global economic crisis, an unsteady market and a shaky industry, StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas again exceeded expectations with a solid, three-day event filled with quality attendees, intense education and exhibitors who were ready to do business.

The show, which took place October 15-18, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, brought the entire stone industry together once again as StonExpo celebrated its new international alliance with Marmomacc and the first-ever StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas.

Fabricators, installers, distributors, architects, designers, retailers, builders, quarriers, kitchen and bath specialists, manufacturers and suppliers from around the country know how important StonExpo is to their business success. StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas boasted 276 exhibiting companies in 113,000 square feet and was attended by nearly 6,000 industry professionals. Key audience segments had modest growth, including a 3% increase in international attendance and a 2% increase in the architecture and design segments – both attributable to Marmomacc’s increased influence on the event.

Participants of this year’s StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas came to Las Vegas not knowing what to expect, but praised the positive outcome of this year’s event.

“We were extremely gratified by the number of MIA members who did come to Las Vegas and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas. Our experience was that they were there for serious business reasons,” comments Gary Distelhorst, Executive Vice President, Marble Institute of America.

“The attendees were there to look at new technology, new machinery and new ideas for expanding their business. All in all, it was a fine meeting for the MIA,” continues Distelhorst.

“StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas was a success for Park. The yearly event always offers our industry a great opportunity to gather as a community,” said Jim Eckberg, Park Industries.  “This turned out to be especially important during the challenging times. The ability to share practices, learn new techniques and discuss profitable strategies in an open, educational environment really made this year’s show the best ever.”

While attendance was down, the quality of attendees was higher than ever, which translated into exhibitors interacting with the owners, decision-makers and presidents themselves.  Approximately 80% of those in attendance influenced buying decisions, and approximately 90% of exhibitors reported attendee quality either met or exceeded their expectations (source: 2008 Exhibitor Survey).

“The show was a real success for me, as I concentrated this trip on networking. I have already closed one deal and have three more in the works,” said attendee Tony Arena, Accmg Group/Stonework Consultants.

“Even though attendance was down from last year, the quality of attendees has never been higher. Those who came were focused and thirsting for knowledge and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, through its seminars, demonstrations, and exhibitors did not disappoint!” said Ron Hannah, Executive Director, Stone Fabricators Alliance.

“We were expecting StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas to be a ghost town, so I was quite shocked to find a large line of fabricators waiting outside of the show on opening day. We were quite pleased with the attendees, especially considering the current state of the economy. Overall the show was well done and exceeded our expectations!” stated Mike Saraylian, Blick Industries.

“StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2008 exceed our expectations for both traffic and quality of leads, “said Bill Elliott of Northwood Designs, a first time exhibitor.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better response to our flip table,” said Keith Watters, W.F. Enterprises, a first time exhibitor. “This was our first tradeshow ever and it beat our expectations as to the amount of sales and warm leads we walked away with.”

Education was a focal point at this year’s show, seen as more important than ever in light of the current economy. Attendees found classrooms filled to capacity, some with standing room only and others completely sold out.

“We went to the show for the first time, all the way from Puerto Rico. But what an experience. It was worth it,” said Carlos Lopez, Gem Stones Marmoleria. “We found all we were looking for and a little more. Not only good and new products and tools, but the seminars, forums and technical shows were refreshing and well selected for the market and economy.”

Among the highlights of the show this year was the expanded New Product Pavilion. Centrally located in the lobby just outside the entrance, it was one of the busiest areas of the show and constantly had a crowd of attendees browsing the latest products available to the industry. GranQuartz took top honors with their product, the Pro-Cart AT1 by Omni Cubed, Inc., which is available exclusively at GranQuartz.

“Entering our product in the New Product Pavilion (NPP) was definitely worth it, “ said Amy Livingston, Sales & Marketing Director, Omni Cubed, Inc. “Not only was it additional exposure, but it was an opportunity to show our product BEFORE the show opened each day. I highly recommend that all companies with new products participate in the NPP at the next show.”

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas is owned and produced by Hanley Wood Exhibitions and will be held October 21-24, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Marmomacc is owned and organized by Veronafiere, held annually in Verona, Italy. Its 43rd edition was held October 2-5, 2008.

For more information on StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, please call 866.550.6808 or visit www.StonExpo.com.

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas’ Official Sponsors are the Marble Institute of America (MIA) and Natural Stone Council. The mission of the MIA is to promote the use of natural stone and be the world's most authoritative natural stone information resource. Membership in the association is worldwide and includes over 2,000 natural stone producers, exporters/importers, distributors/wholesalers, fabricators, finishers, installers, and industry suppliers—all committed to the highest standards of workmanship and ethics.

The Natural Stone Council, home of the Genuine Stone® brand, is the leader in the stone industry that represents the major associations who are committed to promotion and education of the industry and general public of the value and benefits of natural stone. Member associations include: Allied Stone Industries, Building Stone Institute, Elberton Granite Association, Indiana Limestone Institute, Marble Institute of America, National Building Granite Quarries Association, National Slate Association and Natural Stone Alliance.
StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2008 official endorsers are Milanez & Milaneze/Vit?ria Stone Fair and AIA Las Vegas.

About Veronafiere
Veronafiere (Verona Trade Fair Company) is Italy's most important direct organizer of trade shows and among the top organizers in Europe. Founded in 1898, Veronafiere now focuses on economic sectors of primary importance to the Italian economy, including stone (Marmomacc), construction (Samoter), and wine (Vinitaly).  Veronafiere conducts or hosts 37 trade shows a year in Verona and 11 abroad.  Annual turnover in 2007 was more than $110M.

Marmomacc is the global leader in natural and engineered stone materials and related technologies and design.  Samoter is one of Europe's major exhibitions of construction equipment and earth-moving machinery.  Vinitaly is the largest wine trade show in the world.  All three are owned and organized by Veronafiere.

About Hanley Wood
Hanley Wood, LLC, is the premier media company serving housing and construction. Through four operating divisions, the company produces award-winning magazines and Web sites, marquee trade shows and events, rich data and custom marketing solutions. The company also is North America’s leading publisher of home plans. Hanley Wood Exhibitions (Dallas) conducts 18 trade shows, including World of Concrete, one of the top 20 trade show events in the country.

Founded in 1976, Hanley Wood is a $250 million company owned by affiliates of JPMorgan Partners, LLC. CCMP Capital Advisors manages the Hanley Wood investment for JPMorgan Partners.

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